Chapter 14 - The parentage hearing
We filed petition to establish legal parentage and seek permanent custody.
Mara opposed.
Her argument:
Caroline was intended parent.
She gave birth under donor-embryo arrangement.
Ryan and Emily never intended to parent the resulting child because they did not know transfer occurred.
Therefore genetic connection alone should not retroactively erase Caroline’s parentage.
Our attorney agreed with part.
We did not ask court to erase Caroline.
We asked recognition that the embryo was used without our consent and that Sophie’s current best interests required placement with us, especially after Mara’s misconduct.
Could court recognize multiple dimensions?
Birth/legal history complex.
The guardian ad litem—appointed for Sophie—focused on:
Safety.
Attachment.
Continuity.
Identity.
Sophie had lived with Caroline nearly five years.
Caroline dead.
Mara caregiver for about one year afterward.
Then concealment.
We were new.
Genetic relationship important.
Not magic.
The court ordered temporary placement with us to continue.
Mara’s guardianship remained suspended.
No unsupervised contact.
Supervised contact?
Sophie became distressed when asked.
Court did not order immediate visits while criminal no-contact conditions existed.
Then birth certificate.
Would Emily replace Caroline?
We did not request that immediately.
Emily said:
“I will not make Sophie’s mother disappear on paper just because a clinic made us genetic parents.”
That became a legal problem because some parentage orders require identifying current parents.
Our attorney sought an order recognizing our genetic/parental rights while preserving historical birth record and Caroline’s status in amended documentation where law allowed.
No instant solution.
Then judge said something practical:
May you like
“Whatever final paperwork says, this child is not a disputed asset.”
Correct.
